Device for supporting an electronic tool on a user&#39;s hand

ABSTRACT

An attachment device for attaching to a user&#39;s finger, thumb, hand, or wrist is provided. The attachment device may also be configured to support an object, such as a small electronic tool. According to one implementation, an attachment device comprises a mounting frame, a side wall extending at an angle from the mounting frame, an outer C-band extending from an end of the side wall, and an inner C-band extending from the mounting frame. The outer C-band is configured to at least partially surround the inner C-band.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to support and attachment devices and more particularly relates to devices for supporting an electronic tool on a user's finger, thumb, hand, or wrist.

BACKGROUND

Hand-held electronic tools are used in various environments to perform a variety of tasks. In some cases, a user may operate an electronic tool repeatedly throughout the day. As an example, an employee working at a point-of-sale station in a retail store may operate a hand-held laser scanner for scanning barcodes on products to be sold.

When a user is required to operate the same hand-held electronic device over and over during the day, it can be beneficial to attach the device to the user's hand. For example, a device can be attached to a user's hand or wrist and is therefore available when the user needs it. Not only does this keep the device within easy accessibility for the user, but it also frees the user's hands to perform other tasks. Because of these advantages, the user may be able to perform his or her duties more efficiently.

One technique for attaching an electronic tool to a user's hand includes connecting a fabric strap to the tool and connecting the strap to the user's hand or wrist. A problem that arises with the use of fabric material is that it tends to absorb the user's perspiration. Also, it may be difficult to completely clean fabric straps, and thus the electronic device would not normally be shared with other employees.

Some attachment devices use buckles, straps, pins, hooks, and other components for attaching onto the user's hand. However, these devices are usually difficult or time-consuming to attach or remove. Also, when these electronic devices are used near machinery, the danger of getting the device caught can cause serious injuries to the user, particularly if the attachment element is not designed to be easily removed or to “breakaway” in such an emergency.

Therefore, a need exists for a support/attachment device that attaches an electronic tool to a user's finger, thumb, hand, or wrist and that overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art. First, a need exists for a device that is not comprised of fabric or other material that is not easily cleaned. Also, a need exists for a support/attachment device that can be easily attached and easily removed from the user's hand. Furthermore, a need exists for a support/attachment device that provides adequate support for the electronic tool while remaining steady on a user's hand, yet is not too tight so as to cause discomfort or to prevent the device from being easily removed in a breakaway fashion if necessary.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, in one aspect, the present invention embraces support/attachment devices. In an exemplary embodiment, a support/attachment unit comprises a mounting frame, a side wall, an outer C-band, and an inner C-band. The mounting frame includes a front portion, back portion, first side portion, and second side portion. A top side of the mounting frame defines a substantially horizontal plane upon which an electronic module is supported. The side wall extends downward from the first side portion of the mounting frame, extending at an angle from the substantially horizontal plane defined by the mounting frame. The outer C-band extends from an end of the side wall in a clockwise direction and the inner C-band extends from the first side portion of the mounting frame in a counter-clockwise direction. The outer C-band and inner C-band each comprise a C-shaped cross-section. When no force is applied to the outer C-band and inner C-band, the outer C-band surrounds the inner C-band such that an inner radius of the outer C-band is greater than an outer radius of the inner C-band. When in use, at least one of the inner C-band and the outer C-band provides an inwardly-directed force on a finger of a user.

In another exemplary embodiment, a support/attachment device comprises a top section, side wall, outer C-band, and inner C-band. The top section includes a mounting frame, and the side wall extends at an angle from the mounting frame. The outer C-band, which has a C-shaped cross-section, extends from an end of the side wall. The inner C-band, which also has a C-shaped cross-section, extends from the mounting frame. When not in use, the outer C-band at least partially surrounds the inner C-band.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, an attachment device comprises a mounting frame, a side wall extending at an angle from the mounting frame, an outer C-band extending from an end of the side wall, and an inner C-band extending from the mounting frame. The outer C-band at least partially surrounds the inner C-band.

The foregoing illustrative summary, as well as other exemplary objectives and/or advantages of the invention, and the manner in which the same are accomplished, are further explained within the following detailed description and its accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 schematically depicts a perspective view of a support/attachment device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 schematically depicts a front view of the support/attachment device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 schematically depicts a top view of the support/attachment device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 schematically depicts a side view of the support/attachment device of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention is directed to devices that support an electronic tool and attach to a user's finger, thumb, hand, or wrist. The support/attachment devices described in the present disclosure may contain a rubber material that can be easily cleaned. Also, the support/attachment devices are configured to provide adequate stability when attached to a user's finger. The device may comprise a material to provide a comfortable secure fit, yet flexible enough to be used for a wide range of ring sizes. In addition, the support/attachment devices described in the present disclosure have a design that allows a user to easily insert the device onto his or her finger and allows the device to be easily removed, even allowing removal in a breakaway fashion if necessary.

FIGS. 1-4 illustrate several views of a support/attachment device 10 in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the support/attachment device 10; FIG. 2 shows a front view of the support/attachment device 10; FIG. 3 shows a side view of the support/attachment device 10; and FIG. 4 shows a top view of the support/attachment device 10.

As shown in the drawings, the support/attachment device 10 generally includes a top section 12, a side wall 14, an outer C-band 16, and an inner C-band 18. The side wall 14 extends at an angle from the top section 12. The C-bands are curved bands having a cross-sectional shape in the form of the letter “C”. Each of the C-bands 16, 18 is connected to the support/attachment device 10 at one of its ends. On the opposite ends, the outer C-band 16 includes a free end 56 and the inner C-band 18 includes a free end 58.

The top section 12 of the support/attachment device 10 comprises a mounting frame 20. The mounting frame 20 is configured to support an electronic tool 100 (shown in phantom in FIG. 2). According to some embodiments, the electronic tool 100 may be a laser scanner, laser pointer, counting device, calculation device, or other relatively small, portable electronic device.

The mounting frame 20 supports the electronic tool 100 between a front ridge 22 and a back ridge 24 of the top section 12. The front ridge 22 and back ridge 24 extend upward above a substantially planar surface defined by the top of the mounting frame 20. The mounting frame 20 includes a front portion 26, back portion 28, first side portion 30, and second side portion 32. The tops of the front portion 26, back portion 28, first side portion 30, and second side portion 32 form a substantially horizontal, rectangular support frame upon which the electronic tool 100 can be placed.

The side wall 14 extends at an angle from the mounting frame 20. In some embodiments, a top end 34 of the side wall 14 is connected to or is integrally formed with the first side portion 30 of the mounting frame 20. The side wall 14 includes a substantially flat surface that extends at an obtuse angle α₁ of approximately 100 degrees from the plane defined by the top of the mounting frame 20. The side wall 14 may be configured to support a trigger device 102 (shown in phantom in FIG. 2). For example, the trigger device 102 may be associated with the electronic tool 100 for providing a trigger signal to the electronic tool 100. The trigger device 102 may include a housing and one or more buttons, switches, triggers, and/or keys.

The outer C-band 16 extends from a bottom end 36 of the side wall 14. From the bottom end 36, the outer C-band 16 extends to its free end 56 in a clockwise direction when viewed from the front of the support/attachment device 10 (e.g., as shown in the front view of FIG. 2). The inner C-band 18 extends from the first side portion 30 of the mounting frame 20. Initially, the C-band 18 extends in the direction of the second side portion 32 of the mounting frame 20. From the first side portion 30, the inner C-band 18 extends to its free end 58 in a counter-clockwise direction when viewed from the front of the support/attachment device 10.

When the support/attachment device 10 is not in use and no force is being applied to the C-bands 16, 18, the outer C-band 16 at least partially surrounds the inner C-band 18. For example, with respect to a center point 40 of the inner C-band 18, the outer C-band 16 peripherally overlaps the inner C-band 18 along an arc defined by an angle α₂, which, according to some embodiments, may be more than about 145 degrees.

The outer C-band 16 and inner C-band 18 define an expandable, substantially cylindrical shape having an inner circumference that ranges from about 50 mm to about 88 mm, which approximately corresponds to ring sizes ranging from 5 to 20. The center point 40 may represent a minimum radius ring 42 for a minimum ring size (e.g., a ring size of 5, which includes a circumference of about 49.32 mm).

When the outer C-band 16 and inner C-band 18 are expanded or forced outward to accommodate a larger ring size, the C-bands 16, 18 may be positioned such that the free end 58 of the inner C-band 18 is substantially aligned with the free end 56 of the outer C-band 16. In this respect, the C-bands 16, 18 would have no radially overlapping sections.

At a maximum ring size (e.g., a ring size of 20, which includes a circumference of about 88.2 mm), the C-bands 16, 18 may be expanded such that a gap is formed between the free ends 56, 58. The maximum ring size may be defined by a center point 44 when the C-bands 16, 18 are expanded to the size of a maximum radius ring 46.

The gap formed between the free ends 56, 58 can be expanded even farther to allow the user to remove the support/attachment device 10 in a breakaway fashion. The breakaway feature involves pulling the user's finger in a radial direction to create a gap between the C-bands 16, 18 large enough for the finger to be removed. The support/attachment device 10 is configured to provide adequate attachment force to the user's finger at the maximum radius ring 46 and yet allows a sufficient gap to be created between free ends 56, 58 to enable the support/attachment device 10 to break away, if needed, when a predetermined force is applied in a radially outward direction.

The positions of the center point 40 of the minimum radius ring 42 and the center point 44 of the maximum radius ring 46 should be noted. When expanding from the minimum radius ring 42 to the maximum radius ring 46, the center point shifts from the center point 40 away from the top section 12 and side wall 14 of the support/attachment device 10 toward the center point 44, as shown by arrow A.

Furthermore, when the support/attachment device 10 is not in use and no forces are acting on it, the outer C-band 16 has an inner radius 50 that is greater than an outer radius 52 of the inner C-band 18. The distance between the inner radius 50 of the outer C-band 16 and the outer radius 52 of the inner C-band 18 may be constant, according to some embodiments, and can be defined by a distance d. In some embodiments, the distance d may be about 0.145 inches. Alternatively, the distance d may vary along the arc defined by angle α₂.

The present invention is directed to devices that support an electronic tool and attach to a user's finger, thumb, hand, or wrist. The support/attachment device 10 may contain a rubber material, such as urethane or polyurethane. The support/attachment device 10 may be formed in a single mold so that the top section 12, side wall 14, outer C-band 16, and inner C-band 18 are integrally connected.

The rubber material may have a hardness in the range from about Shore 70A to about Shore 90A, preferably with a hardness of about Shore 80A. Such a hardness would provide sufficiently secure attachment to a finger or gloved finger within the ranges of ring sizes of 5 to 20. Although the hardness of the rubber would be tight enough to be secure, it would not be uncomfortable to the user. The hardness would allow expansion to various sizes and even enable the breakaway feature. Also, the rubber material of the support/attachment device 10 could be easily cleaned, as opposed to a fabric material.

To supplement the present disclosure, this application incorporates entirely by reference the following commonly assigned patents, patent application publications, and patent applications:

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In the specification and/or figures, typical embodiments of the invention have been disclosed. The present invention is not limited to such exemplary embodiments. The use of the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. The figures are schematic representations and so are not necessarily drawn to scale. Unless otherwise noted, specific terms have been used in a generic and descriptive sense and not for purposes of limitation. 

1. A support/attachment unit comprising: a mounting frame having a front portion, back portion, first side portion, and second side portion, wherein a top side of the mounting frame defines a substantially horizontal plane upon which an electronic module is supported; a side wall extending downward from the first side portion of the mounting frame, the side wall extending at an angle from the substantially horizontal plane defined by the mounting frame; an outer C-band extending from an end of the side wall in a clockwise direction; and an inner C-band extending from the first side portion of the mounting frame in a counter-clockwise direction; wherein the outer C-band and inner C-band each comprise a C-shaped cross-section; wherein, when no force is applied to the outer C-band and inner C-band, the outer C-band surrounds the inner C-band such that an inner radius of the outer C-band is greater than an outer radius of the inner C-band; and wherein, when in use, at least one of the inner C-band and the outer C-band provides an inwardly-directed force on a finger of a user.
 2. The support/attachment unit of claim 1, wherein the inner C-band extends from the first side portion toward the second side portion of the mounting frame.
 3. The support/attachment unit of claim 1, further comprising a front ridge and a back ridge each extending above the substantially horizontal plane defined by the mounting frame, the front ridge and back ridge configured to prevent forward and backward movement of the electronic module with respect to the mounting frame.
 4. The support/attachment unit of claim 1, wherein the side wall is configured to support a trigger device associated with the electronic module.
 5. The support/attachment unit of claim 1, wherein the mounting frame, side wall, outer C-band, and inner C-band consist of an integrally-molded rubber having a hardness in the range from about Shore 70A to about Shore 90A.
 6. A support/attachment device comprising: a top section including a mounting frame; a side wall extending at an angle from the mounting frame; an outer C-band extending from an end of the side wall, the outer C-band having a C-shaped cross-section; and an inner C-band extending from the mounting frame, the inner C-band having a C-shaped cross-section; wherein, when not in use, the outer C-band at least partially surrounds the inner C-band.
 7. The support/attachment device of claim 6, wherein, when not in use, the outer C-band has an inner radius greater than an outer radius of the inner C-band.
 8. The support/attachment device of claim 6, wherein the mounting frame has a front portion, back portion, first side portion, and second side portion.
 9. The support/attachment device of claim 8, wherein the side wall extends from the first side portion of the mounting frame.
 10. The support/attachment device of claim 9, wherein the inner C-band extends from the first side portion of the mounting frame.
 11. The support/attachment device of claim 10, wherein the inner C-band extends from the first side portion toward the second side portion of the mounting frame.
 12. The support/attachment device of claim 6, wherein the top section, side wall, outer C-band, and inner C-band consist of an integrally-molded flexible rubber material.
 13. The support/attachment device of claim 6, wherein the outer C-band comprises a first free end opposite an end extending from the side wall and the inner C-band comprises a second free end opposite an end extending from the mounting frame.
 14. The support/attachment device of claim 13, wherein the first free end and second free end enable an object surrounded by the outer C-band and inner C-band to breakaway when a predetermined force is applied.
 15. An attachment device comprising: a mounting frame; a side wall extending at an angle from the mounting frame; an outer C-band extending from an end of the side wall; and an inner C-band extending from the mounting frame; wherein the outer C-band at least partially surrounds the inner C-band.
 16. The attachment device of claim 15, wherein the outer C-band and inner C-band each have a C-shaped cross-section.
 17. The attachment device of claim 15, wherein the mounting frame comprises a front portion, back portion, first side portion, and second side portion, the side wall extending from the first side portion of the mounting frame.
 18. The attachment device of claim 17, wherein the inner C-band extends from the first side portion of the mounting frame toward the second side portion of the mounting frame.
 19. The attachment device of claim 15, wherein the outer C-band and inner C-band define an expandable, substantially cylindrical shape having an inner circumference ranging from about 50 mm to about 88 mm.
 20. The attachment device of claim 15, wherein the outer C-band comprises a first free end opposite an end extending from the side wall and the inner C-band comprises a second free end opposite an end extending from the mounting frame, the outer C-band and inner C-band being configured to apply an inwardly-directed force to a finger of a user, and wherein the outer C-band and inner C-band have sufficient flexibility to enable the user to remove his or her finger between the first free end and second free end to break away from the attachment device when a predetermined outwardly-directed force is applied against the outer C-band and inner C-band. 